Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Nagpur: England captain Alastair Cook was surprised with the way his team has bounce back in the Test series against India with back-to-back wins and hoped the impetus will continue in the 4th Test starting on Thursday.

I am enjoyably surprised by the character shown by the team in the last 2 games. I am pleased. We have played good, tough cricket. But we have to continue that, Alastair Cook said. England leads the series 2-1 and is now looking at their first series win in India in 28 years.

The last game was a real team effort from everyone. At the start of the series we were frantic to win it and we are having a chance here to do it, said Cook. The England captain said his boys are listening carefully on finishing the job but expects India to bounce back.

Everyone knows how important this match. As a player you have to focus on the job at hand and keep emotion out. They will be frantic not to let the home record broken, he said.

Asked whether it could be Sachin Tendulkar last game, Cook said: He's a wonderful player with a fantastic record like his one hundred 100s. It has been a pleasure playing against him.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Mumbai: The All India Senior Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India will meet here at noon on Tuesday to pick the Indian team for the last 2 cricket Tests and 2 T20 Internationals against England.

The 3rd Test will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata from Dec 5 to 9 while the fourth match will be held at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur from Dec 13 to 17.

The ongoing series is level with both India and England winning a Test each1-1. The only 2 Twenty20 Internationals will be played at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune and Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Dec 20 and 22, respectively.

Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team, Sehwag gave a couple reticent beginning. Opening an account for the 1st run of the game with a boundary Gambhir (22), did not lasting a long time. As usual, the action of the Virender Sehwag, Chris Martin, Brace well, tirant pavult wicket to chase balls.

Next came the master batsman, Sachin Tendulkar played as very bad. Much awaited his 19 runs in 62 balls and took the clean fold. The combined Pujara, Virat Kohli took a couple of game in their hands. New Zealand Cricket handled them easily, increase the team's score. Kohli smashed charge, scoring his 1st Test stage 4. When you've added 125 runs for the 4th wicket, Kohli (58), Rohit.

Great Pujara

Incredible scored on the other end Pujara, recorded his First Test match century in the Test arena. Suresh Raina (3) did not. Dhoni sent the ball to six jitan Patel, the team's score increased quickly.

End of the game of the 1st day of the Indian team in the first innings and 307 runs for 5 wickets. Pujara (119), MS Dhoni (29) was not out. Tirant pavult 2 on behalf of New Zealand, Chris Martin, pirasvel, jitan Patel took 1wicket each.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Gayle is set to play his 1st Test in more than one and off years {18 months} after being named in the West Indies squad for the 1st Test against New Zealand. Chris Gayle last has not played Test cricket since the tour of Sri Lanka in December 2010, and he will give a major boost to the West Indies batting line-up, which has also regain Chanderpaul after he missed the final Test against England due to a side strain.

The 13-man squad does not include the batsman Darren Bravo, who is West Indies' 2nd leading run scorer in Tests in the past year. Bravo, who has not managed a half-century in his past 5 Tests and scored his most recent 50 in the 1st innings of the 1st Test against Australia in April, is still getting better from a groin strain continued during the England tour.

The top-order batsman Assad Fudadin was built-in after making his Test debut in the last match of the England tour. Sunil Narine was the only spinner named in the squad and there was no room for the fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who was part of the Test side during the tour of England.

The 1st Test against New Zealand begins in Antigua on Wednesday, before the sides move on to Jamaica for the 2nd and last test.

Monday, July 16, 2012

COLOMBO - Fast bowler Isuru Udana has been included in Sri Lanka's ODI squad for the first time for the 5-match series against India starting on July 21 at Hambantota.

Batsman Chamara Kapugedera and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath were also brought in as Nuwan Pradeep, Sajeewa Weerakoon and Dilhara Fernando missed out from the squad that beat Pakistan 3-1 last month.

Udana, a 24-year-old left-arm fast-medium bowler has appear in only T20 internationals for Sri Lanka.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Kumar Sangakkara missed a double-century for the 2nd successive match as the rain-hit second Testbetween Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a dreary draw in Colombo on Wednesday.

Sangakkara, who was stranded on an unbeaten 199 in the 1st Test at Galle, was dismissed for 192 after helping Sri Lanka avoid the embarrassment of follow-on on the 5th and last day.

The hosts, who began the day needing 74 more runs to make Pakistan bat again, were all out for 391 in the post-lunch sitting in reply to Pakistan's 551-6 declared. Pakistan, leading by 160 runs on the 1st innings, made 100-2 in their 2nd knock when captain Misbah-ul Haq close the innings soon after tea to attempt an unlikely win.

Sri Lanka appeared fair-minded in chasing the tough win target of 261 in 37 overs and was 86-2 in 22 overs when the match was called off at the Sinhalese Sports Club.Sri Lanka will head for the 3rd and last Test in Pallekele from Sunday with a 1-0 lead, having won the opening encounter in Galle by 209 runs.

The home side, who began the day at 278-5, were steered out of trouble by a 89-run stand for the 6 th wicket between Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews (47).But Mathews' dismissal soon after lunch triggered a middle-order collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last 5 wickets for 21 runs. Young left-arm seamer Junaid Khan finished with his second 5-wicket haul in Tests and spinner Abdur Rehman claimed four as the Pakistanis extract more from the slow pitch than their Sri Lankan counterpart.

Sangakkara looked set for his ninth double-century when he fell against the run of play after defy Pakistan's attack for almost nine hours. The left-hander step out to loft Rehman and only managed a thick edge to Taufeeq Umar at square-leg.Kumar Sangakkara, who hit 15 fours and a 6 in his 30th Test century, raised a cry of suffering before walking off to warm clapping from less than 500 spectators at the ground.

Sangakkara is already the highest run-getter against Pakistan, having surpassed Indian great Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 2,089 runs when he reached 60 on Tuesday. He has nine 3-figure knocks against Pakistan with a top score of 230 in Lahore in March, 2002.Junaid had Mathews caught at the back and then bowled Nuwan Kulasekara, while Rehman dismiss Prasanna Jayawardene and last man Nuwan Pradeep to finish the innings.

In the brief 2nd innings for both teams, Taufeeq Umar scored an unbeaten 42 for Pakistan and Tharanga Paranavitana made 32 for Sri Lanka.The Test was marred by bad climate, which allowed just 71 of the set 180 overs to be bowled on the second and3rd days.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Australian captain Michael Clarke believes the upcoming ODI tour of England will be helpful preparation for next year's Ashes Series, but he maintain his men are not yet thinking about regaining the urn. The ODI squad flew out on Thursday for a 5-match series against England and one in Ireland. Australia A will also follow the national team to England in July and August to play 2 three-day and 2 four-day matches.

The result is that the vast bulk of Australia's likely Ashes squad will have the chance to explain - or reacquaint - themselves with English situation a year out from the Test series. For young men like Pat Cummins and James Pattinson the experience will be especially valuable as they aim to become familiar with the Duke Ball, the variation in swing and seam group and the venues they will see come Ashes time.

It is important they get some cricket in English conditions, whether that with the ODI team or they stay on with the Australia a team and play a couple of those games, Clarke said of his youthful bowlers. But I think just life form in England, seeing what conditions are like; if they get a chance grab it with both hands.

The Ashes is a long way from my mind right now. But any chance you get to play in the same conditions as you are going to play in 12 or 15 months' time can only be good for a team. I think a lot of guys caught up in this ODI squad have a big chance of being part of the Ashes team in 12 months' time. I think it's really imported we get as used to to those conditions as we can and have some success over there.

This week, the Australians were presented with the ICC's ODI shield after finishing the season as the No.1-ranked ODI side, despite their struggle at the World Cup last year. In the past 12 months, Clarke men have win just over half of their ODI matches and while they haven't lost a series during that time, they have had some close including a 2-2 draw with West Indies in March.

We’ve been the No.1one-day team in the world for a while now, Michael Clarke said. But we need to continue to raise the bar. I think our cricket in the shorter form of the game of late has not been as consistent as we would like. Once we get on a plane today it's most likely the start of a 2-year journey for this Australian team, whether it is the ODI team, the Test team or the T20 team, to have a lot of winner and get back to being the No.1 team in all 3 forms of the game.

Australia will need to find their peak ODI form without one of their top players, after Michael Hussey withdrew from the tour. Peter Forrest has been drafted into the squad to replace Hussey but he might not at first find a place in the starting line-up, with Clarke, George Bailey, David Hussey and Steven Smith all available for middle-order positions. Clarke said there was no doubt in his mind who would take the Michael Hussey role of routing the middle-order towards the end of difficult chases.

Fortunately God gave us a brother to Michael Hussey, Clarke said. We are very lucky we have got David. Last summer I think he got to show the nation that he cannot just play at the highest level but can be very victorious. I am pretty sure while Mike Hussey is away, Dave Hussey will be there to fill those boots.

Australia won’t be the only ones missing a key senior batsman during the series, which will be England's 2nd since the retirement of Kevin Pietersen from the format. The Australians will keep an eye on how England perform without Pietersen during the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, but Clarke said he was pleased the Australians would not have to worry about counter him this year.

I am surprised that he retired from the shorter form of the game, because of how excellent he is, Clarke said. And he's only 31 years of age. Clearly the ENGLAND CRICKET BOARD has different rules to Australian players in regard to our contracts - I'm not part of the T20 team but I am still eligible to play ODI cricket and vice-versa.

As an opponent player to Kevin Pietersen, I am thrilled I don't have to play against him in ODI cricket because he is such an excellent player. He is had a lot of success and he is match-winner. But excellent players for England Team in their team, they enjoy the shorter form of the game, they have got some good talent coming during and they are running high with self-confidence after just beating West Indies.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pakistan cricket bosses have held talks with the convicted Bowler Mohammad Aamer for the 1st time since he was released from a British jail in February, a top official said on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old volunteered to meet the Pakistan Cricket Board as part of what the leading body said was a prelude to his "rehabilitation" after he was found responsible of spot-fixing during a Test match at Lord's in 2010.

Aamer was banned for a minimum of 5 years by the International Cricket Councilalong with pace partner Mohammad Asif and ex-captain Salman Butt. He met the PCB last week. We have recently had 2 contacts with Aamer during which he was debriefed and was asked some question which we do not want to reveal in the media, Pakistan Cricket Board chief working officer Subhan Ahmed told.

The 3 players were jailed by a court in Britain for accepting corrupt payment and infringement of the gambling act. The ICC tribunal which banned the trio directed them to attend a treatment process under the ICC and PCB.They were accused of contrive to bowl deliberate no-balls in return of money. Asif was free earlier this month while Butt is still serving his 30-month judgment.

The debriefing was not part of the rehab, but we will soon talk about the matter with the ICC and start his treatment," said Ahmed.Last month Aamer appeared in an education video of the ICC's Anti-corruption and security unit, notice the future generations of how to avoid the pitfall of fixing.PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has describe Aamer as "an asset" and assured his Board will do all possible for the brilliant paceman's return to the game.

Ahmed said Asif has not been in making contact with the PCB as he was still in England after his release. Asif has made no contact with us and as he has decided to appeal next to the ICC ban, nothing can be done before he finishes with that," said Ahmed.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Calcutta: Irfan Pathan has made a decent comeback to the Indian team after more than a 2-year hiatus.

Since his return, after improving from a back injury, he has taken 13 wickets from 8 one-day International matches and one from a T20 tie. On Tuesday, Irfan said that change in his bowling action did the deception for him. Obviously, the change in the bowling action is work for me. I’ has worked really hard. It took time to change my action. My position is much straighter at the present, Irfan said.

The 27-year-old pacer said that Delhi DareDevils adviser TA Sekar and head coach Eric Simons helped him when he decisive to change his action. particularly after my back injury, I needed to change my action. So, change was the need of the hour. I also got valuable inputs from Eric,” Irfan said.

Irfan, who had vanished from the national team after start with a bang, his current stint with Team India is his second innings? I take it as a 2nd innings. Not many people come back after injury. But I am lucky that I have been able to come back. I capacity be going for runs in some matches, but you cannot really help it since you can go for run in the casualty over’s or in the Power plays Irfan said.

However, it’s important to maintain taking wickets. I feel really happy with my performance in Australia I had taken fairly a 5 wickets. The Bangladesh tour has not been so good for me… But overall, I’m happy.

Irfan is now all alert to cement his place in the side. And he knows it very well that good show in the IPL is of utmost significance. I will be playing a lot more matches. I will get to bowl at crucial juncture. I never run away from challenges. I just want to enjoy the game, he said.

Monday, March 26, 2012

New Delhi: Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma the operation has to ankle injury. The 5th IPL. Participating in the series. Indian team is a young fast bowler Ishant Sharma. If you are suffering from long term ankle injury. When England last year2011, to the operation, doctors said that he is after six months and needed a rest.

Since of this, and waited until after the Australian series. Participate in this 4-Test series, and only take 5 wickets only. Then, he returns to India, England and have the operation. India is probable to return to them in a day or two.

Ishant Sharma said a close one, the stitch applied to Ishant, feed. Is divided in 2 or 3. To the 5th IPL Series in Apr-4 starts. Thus, it seems that it would not participate in the series Ishant, he said.

Ishant Sharma, which has complete the operation, because it would require at least 6 months' rest, before the month of September, he is improbable to return to cricket. India, Sri Lanka flanked by the teams, the series will be held in August this year. So he was Participate doubt.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Adrian Barath has replaced fellow opener Kieran Powell in West Indies' 13-member squad for the last 2 ODIs against Australia in St.

Barath has overcome his recent spell of injuries and give firm proof of his fitness with a 100 for his native Trinidad & Tobago against Guyana, the West Indies Cricket board said in a release. Barath batted for more than 3 hours in making 114 in T&T's 1st innings. The final of his 12 ODIs for West Indies was against India in December 2011.

Powell has been left out past making runs 8, 0 and 12 in the 1st 3 ODIs of the 5-match series, which is locked currently at 1-1.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

ABUDHABI: England’s team spin bowler Panesar played down his challenge with fellow spinner Graeme Swann after returning to the test arena on Wednesday for the first time since 2009.Monty Panesar dismissed Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez on the way to figures of one for 91 in the second test, while Swann took three for 52 to confirm his repute as England's top spinner England were in control after dropping the hosts to 256 for seven, but Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq remain unbeaten on 83.

I have been out of the team for three years, so at all opportunity I get now I just want to make the nearly everyone of my opportunity," Panesar told reporters. I’m not really thinking about whether I want to be number one we both see each other as partners, helping each other. I’m enjoying my partnership with Swann, bowling in tandem - ball turning away; ball spinning it actually creates quite a lot of pressure among different batsmen.

Panesar was recalled in place of injured seamer Chris Tremlett as England player two spinners in a four-man assault for the first time since 2003.Such has been Swann's form that Panesar had been minor since his excellent last-wicket stand with James Anderson next to Australia in Cardiff in 2009.I was a little bit nervous - I found out this morning," said Panesar. "I avoid being up all night involved my action in front of the mirror. I just kept myself ready - there was always the selection of playing two spinners because of the situation out here and the pace of the wicket.

"

Panesar put in a long time, bowling 33 over’s and was hit for five sixes. With Pakistan at 51 for no wicket, he dropped a stooping trapped and bowled chance, but made urgent amends, dismissing Hafeez for 31 with his next release. I should have taken it and the next ball ... it was nice to get the wicket since he's been in good form and it's good to get him premature on," said Panesar.

He was rational about missing out on the wicket of Ul-Haq when James Anderson dropped a catch with the Pakistan captain on 30.These kinds of things take place, was said Panesar. "He has batted well and to you have got to put that’s past you and keep focus on the overs. I knew I was going to bowl a lot of over and I didn't want that to affect me.